Clinker fork



Nov. 19, 1929. v H. w. GROS'NICKLE CLINKER FORK Filed May 18, 1927 Illllllllllllllllllllll Illllll FIG. I

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Patented Nov. 19, 1929 I HENRY w. GROSNIGKLE) or DAYTON, oHI o CLINKER FORK Application filed May 18,

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in clinker forks.

' t is the principal object of my invention to provide a fork that has a jointed connection with a handle for release by a plunger to accommodate itself to the best position within a fire bowl of a furnace to remove clinkers therefrom. It may be employed with equal facility to remove particles from other places difiicult of access.

It is another object of my invention to provide means at the outer end of the handle for operating the plunger to obviate the necessity of projecting the hand into the furnace to adjust the position of the fork.

It is another object of my invention to provide means for varying the distance of the fork from the handle to lengthen or shorten the instrument. 1

In the accompanying drawings illustrating my invention, Figure 1 is a sectional view taken through a furnace, showing my fork adjusted to a position within the fireobowl for the removal of a clinker at the front portion of it, other positions of said fork being shown in dotted lines. Figure 2 is a front View of the fork. Figure 3 is a side view thereof. Figure 4 is an enlarged front view of the adjusting joint portion of the fork. And Figure 5 is an enlarged side view of the same.

Referring to the accompanying drawings fora detailed description of my invention, the numeral 1 designates a tubular member preferably'constructed of steel and split four ways at the top as at2-in Figure 4. At its lower end the tubular member 1 terminates in a cross portion 2 from' which a plurality of curved prongs '8 project to form a fork. (See Figures 2 and 3.)

At its upper split end the tubular member 1 is adapted to be slipped over a round radial projection 4 on a cylindrical casting 5 formed in its periphery with radial plunger-receiving holes 6. (See Figure 2.) The split end 40' of the tubular member 1 is tapered and threaded to receive a nut 7 whereby the nut may be screwed down upon the tubular memher to firmly secure it tothe radial projection 4 on the casting 5. (See Figures 4 and 5.)

By loosening this nut 7 the position of the 1927. Serial no. 192,395.

tubular member 1 on the projection 4 o fthe casting 5 may be'varied to lengthen or shorten the instrument.

portion 9 of a tubular handle To the threaded endof the stud 8 a retaining nut 11 is applied. (See Figures '4 and 5.)

The upper end of the handle 10-terminates in a ring grip portion 12 in which there is formed a hole directly over the straight part of the handle. Projecting through this-hole in the ring 12 from the tubular portion of the handle 10, is the rod part 13 of a plunger 14 that is free to be moved at its lower end into one of the radial holes 6 in the casting 5 to hold the fork in an adjusted position with respect to the handle.- (See Figures 2, 4, and l The plunger 10 is maintained in a hole engaging position 'by a spring 15 which surrounds theupper end 'oftherod 13. At its lower end this spring is in engagement with a collar 16 welded to the rod, and at its upper end said spring is in engagement with the interiortop surface of a cap 17 secured Within the ring 12over the hole therein. The plunger rod 13 terminates at its upper end in an eye portion 18 by which thefrod 13 may be drawn upwardly against the tension of the' spring 15 to withdraw the plunger 14 from the hole 6 that has received it in the casting 5. When so withdrawn from said hole, the fork 3 is free'to drop to a position such as that shown for it in Figure 1.

To obtain any one of the dotted line positions for the fork 3 shown in Figure 1, for the 1 purpose of lifting a clinker from" the fire bowl, the plunger 14-is withdrawn from the casting 5 and the handle 10 moved upwardly while the fork is anchored against the grate or cinders in the bowl; and after such a position for the fork has been obtained, the

plunger 14 is released for engagement with the hole 6 in the casting 5, corresponding with that position. If desired, the handle 10 may r be moved to the left in Figure 3 so that the fork 3 will have a position wherein it will i I toward or away from the cylindrical portion, 7 of the, casting It is thus possible, easily and effectively to Y remove clinkers from places difficult of access within the fire bowl. 7 y

If it is desired to make the fork longer or shorter, it may be done by loosening the nut 7 to permit the tubular member 1 to be moved I do not wish to be limited to the details or construction and arrangement herein shown anddescribed, and any changes or modifications may be madetherein within the scope of.

the subjoined claim.

Having described my invention,\I claim:

A device of the type described, comprising a handle, a cylindrical connecting member'pivoted'to said handle and having a V circular periphery formed with deep radial holes completely around the exposed portion of the same, a fork secured to said connectingmember, a plunger operable from the outer end of said handle for entrance at its inner end into one ofthe holes in the periphery of the connecting member, and

.' spring means for holding said plunger in a selected hole in the connecting member. V In testimony whereof I have hereunto se my hand this 17th day of May, 1927.

HENRY w. enosNIcKLn- 

